Saturday

I had a great day today! FINALLY! I'm getting my energy back after 7 weeks of bronchitis. I was able to work with Gigondas and Sunni and I haven't been able to work two horses in one day for over 8 weeks! :-) I took Gigondas down to the arena first, since I honestly cannot remember the last time I did so. I think it was...November??? Isn't that awful? But, remember, I've had 3 bouts of bronchitis since the second week of school in September, and this final one nearly put me flat on my back during my entire Christmas vacation! Ugh! And, I haven't had much energy or lung capacity to do ANYTHING except go to school and crawl home every afternoon. I've had NO extra energy to do ANYTING except survive day-to-day. So, I'm proud and happy that today I got to work with two horses! I brushed Gigo all over and she stood still (she doesn't always...) She stood by her gate (which means, "I WANT to go down to the arena, Mom!), so I haltered her and led her around her corral first. She now has impecible manners while leading, but I'm always nervous once I get her into the arena as she LOVES to bolt before I can get the lead rope off! And, yup, she started to, but I had the energy today to hang onto the lunge line (25 feet, thank goodness) and yell, "WHOA!" and she did. I made her stay until I was ready to unclip the rope and she stood quietly. (phew...) I let her run and run and roll and roll and roll and eat weeds. She quietly followed me up and back down the arena rail as I was taking photos of Sunni and Quad. Then, when Her Majesty was ready to go back to her corral for her treat, she waited calmly at the gate. I led her up to the tying post, tied her there for a little bit, then walked her up through some brush above the round pen and led her all the way around it. I want her to get used to brush and trees (I'm planning on doing this with ALL the horses). There is a trainer just down the street and I notice that she has hanging car wash strips, an area full of brush, and trail-training things in her front yard for the horses. Hm....that seems like a good idea! So, anyway, my plan is to take each of them for a walk among the trees and brush up at the ranch. It's 9 acres, so there is plenty of room to walk around! And, it will get them used to other objects touching them. I didn't do much with Sunni because the wind kicked up quite strongly and I was concerned that he would freak out, but I'll take him for a walk tomorrow.